San Francisco voters to consider head tax on large companies to help homeless

San Francisco voters to consider head tax on large companies to help homeless

(FILE PHOTO)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco voters will decide in November whether to tax large businesses to pay for homeless and housing services in a city struggling with income inequality.

Seattle leaders backed off a similar proposal last month after Amazon pushed back on a tax on large employers.

Supporters in San Francisco collected enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot. It would raise about $300 million a year to expand shelter beds and provide housing for people who are homeless or at risk.

The money would come from an average half-percent tax increase on companies’ revenue above $50 million each year.

The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns about the measure. Business owner Christin Evans says voters are tired of the city’s bleak housing situation.